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Analysis of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): Application of routine immunological methods for initial testing and confirmation analysis in doping control
Author(s) -
Kuuranne Tiia,
Ahola Liisa,
Pussinen Christel,
Lein Antti
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
drug testing and analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.065
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1942-7611
pISSN - 1942-7603
DOI - 10.1002/dta.1449
Subject(s) - human chorionic gonadotropin , medicine , gonadotropin , pregnancy test , andrology , infertility , gynecology , endocrinology , hormone , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is dimeric glycoprotein produced by placenta in pregnancy and also in low levels by pituitary gland. The main clinical use for exogenous hCG‐administration is typically linked to infertility. The desired effect of hCG misuse in sport is due to the enhancement of testicular production of testosterone. Therefore, hCG is listed by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) as a prohibited substance in male athletes and according to the recently published WADA guideline urinary concentrations of hCG > 5 IU/L may be an indicator of doping. In this study two independent immunoassays were used to implement the new WADA guideline. The assay for initial testing (Siemens Immulite 2000 XPi hCG assay) recognizes various hCG variants (e.g. hCG and β‐core fragment of hCG) whereas the confirmatory assay (PerkinElmer DELFIA Xpress hCG) is sensitive to intact and nicked hCG only. Both assays showed adequate sensitivity and were proven fit‐for‐purpose in routine doping control. Population‐based distribution of the assays was in good agreement with results of earlier studies and supported well the current threshold of 5 IU/L. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.